What are the key skills and competencies that ITAM professionals need in the digital age?

1 Analytical skills

ITAM professionals need to have strong analytical skills to collect, process, and interpret data from various sources, such as asset inventories, contracts, invoices, usage reports, audits, and benchmarks. They need to be able to use data to identify trends, patterns, anomalies, and opportunities for improvement, as well as to measure and report on the performance, value, and risks of IT assets. They also need to be able to use data to support decision making, planning, and forecasting, as well as to communicate effectively with stakeholders.

2 Technical skills

ITAM professionals need to have a solid understanding of the technical aspects of IT assets, such as their features, functions, dependencies, compatibility, and interoperability. They need to be familiar with the different types of IT assets, such as hardware, software, cloud services, mobile devices, and IoT devices, and their respective lifecycles, standards, and best practices. They also need to be able to use various tools and systems to manage, monitor, and optimize IT assets, such as asset discovery, configuration management, license management, service management, and security management.

3 Business skills

ITAM professionals need to have a clear vision of how IT assets support the business goals, strategies, and processes. They need to be able to align IT assets with the business needs, expectations, and priorities, as well as to demonstrate the value and benefits of IT assets to the business stakeholders. They also need to be able to manage the costs, risks, and quality of IT assets, as well as to negotiate and manage contracts, agreements, and relationships with vendors and service providers.

4 Soft skills

ITAM professionals need to have strong soft skills to collaborate, communicate, and influence effectively across the organization and beyond. They need to be able to work in teams, share knowledge, and coordinate actions with other IT functions, such as IT service management, IT security, IT governance, and IT project management. They also need to be able to communicate clearly, persuasively, and professionally with various audiences, such as senior management, business users, auditors, regulators, and vendors. They also need to be able to adapt to change, learn continuously, and innovate creatively.

5 Ethical skills

ITAM professionals need to have high ethical standards and a sense of responsibility for the social and environmental impacts of IT assets. They need to be aware of the ethical issues and dilemmas that may arise in ITAM, such as data privacy, security, compliance, sustainability, and inclusivity. They also need to be able to apply ethical principles and frameworks to guide their actions and decisions, as well as to promote a culture of ethics and integrity in ITAM.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?